Diesel, LPG may cost dearer

New Delhi, Jan 18 (Agencies): After petrol, it is the turn for an imminent hike in diesel and LPG prices as the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) have hinted towards the same.

According to sources, the EGoM scheduled to meet this week may recommend hike in diesel price up to Rs 1.50. They may also look into the price of cooking gas.

Diesel, domestic LPG and kerosene rates have not been revised since June last year. Oil marketing companies (OMCs) have repeatedly been asking the Government to hike prices of the same, as they are losing Rs 7.65 per litre on diesel, Rs 19.60 a litre on kerosene and Rs 366.28 per 14.2-kg cylinder.

Last week, state-owned oil marketing companies had hiked petrol price by up to Rs 2.54.

The oil companies have asked the Government to reduce the customs or import duty on crude oil to zero from five per cent at present.

They also want customs duty on diesel to be slashed to 2.5 per cent from 7.5 per cent at present, along with a reduction in the specific duty imposed on the most-consumed fuel in the country,